For anyone researching rehab or behavioral health care, the report signals a real shift of the women at risk of gambling addiction and why help has to account for it.
The Data Behind a Shifting Trend
Last year, women made up 35% of online sports gamblers, up from 26% in 2022, according to the American Gaming Association.
Of Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings over the past 12 months that listed sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings, or BetMGM as creditors, nearly a quarter were filed by women, Bloomberg Law found in its own review.
Clinicians are seeing the same pattern. Jody Bechtold, CEO of the Better Institute and a gambling counselor for 20 years, told Bloomberg Law that before the 2018 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to legal online betting, women were roughly 40% of her clients. Now they are about 90%.
What Is Drawing Women In
Gambling experts cited several drivers. Some women who played sports from a young age are pulled by competition. Others start by betting alongside a romantic partner during games, then keep going on their own.
Player-prop bets, wagers on how many points or yards an individual athlete will produce, lower the knowledge barrier for newcomers, said Kitty Martz of Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery and Elizabeth Thielen of Nicasa.
Life stage matters too. Christina Cook hosts the Broke Girl Society podcast. She said many of her listeners are new mothers or women going through menopause.
One woman profiled in the report began gambling while managing postpartum depression and lost as much as $200,000 over three years before filing for bankruptcy and stopping.
Gambling disorder is recognized as a behavioral addiction. Like substance use disorders, it often appears alongside depression or anxiety, which is why mental health treatment and addiction treatment frequently overlap in a strong care plan.
Why Gambling Addiction Among Women Stays Hidden
Thielen described women struggling with online gambling as “invisible” because most research focuses on young men ages 18 to 39. The report also notes that recovery groups are often made up mostly of men.
One woman reported she was paired with a male sponsor with whom she repeatedly clashed with and wished she had been matched with a woman who understood the psychological weight she was carrying.
A Possible Policy Shift
In March, Reps. Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) and Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) introduced H.R. 7875, described as the first bipartisan bill aimed at gambling addiction.
The bull redirects a portion of the federal excise tax on sports wagers toward prevention, treatment and recovery. Cait Huble of the National Council on Problem Gambling cautioned that rising participation does not automatically mean rising harm, and that most people gamble responsibly, but said warnings and protections should expand as more women play.
What This Means for Treatment Seekers
Women who see themselves in these accounts should know that help exists and that good treatment increasingly addresses co-occurring disorders, trauma and the specific pressures women describe.
Many betting apps also offer deposit limits, time limits, and self-exclusion tools that can reinforce a treatment plan rather than replace it.
Finding the Right Rehab
If gambling, drinking or drug use has started to affect your finances, relationships or mental health, next steps can include:
- Comparing treatment options for gambling disorder and any co-occurring conditions
- Understanding insurance coverage for mental health and addiction treatment
- Exploring evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and peer support like Gamblers Anonymous
- Verifying a provider’s credentials and treatment approach before you commit
Rehab.com lets you compare verified rehab centers and review their programs, insurance and levels of care. Call
800-985-8516
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to speak with a treatment advisor.
